24 June 2025
Bucksmore’s Young Professionals – English and Graphic Design course is a two-week creative summer school designed for international students aged 13 to 17.
Set in central London, this immersive course combines English language learning with practical design skills, helping students explore both communication and creativity in a real-world context.
We spoke with one of the course tutors to find out more about how the programme is structured, what students create, and what they take away from the experience.
What the course looks like
This English and Design Summer Camp is built around three key pillars: academic growth, creative practice and cultural experience.
During your subject sessions, you’ll explore:
- Typography
- Branding
- Digital illustration
- Mood board development
- Design rationale and portfolio presentation
Each week includes workshops and off-site visits. You’ll attend a digital illustration session and visit a professional design studio to see how real briefs are handled. These trips help you connect classroom work to industry practice.
Developing your English and your creativity
The course is taught entirely in English and is designed to help you use the language in a meaningful, practical way. You’ll pick up technical design terms and creative vocabulary that you can use in future studies or creative projects.
“The development of English language fluency is the primary focus of the course,” say tutors. “You’re immersed in an English-speaking environment for the full two weeks and use that language every day in a real-world context.”
Learn by doing – and get a certificate
One of the highlights of the course is the Capstone industry project , where you step into the role of a creative director and work with your peers to solve a design challenge.
You’ll start with a client-style briefing and move on to mood boards, colour palettes, logo development and brand assets. After developing your designs, you’ll take part in a peer critique session, where you present your work and receive feedback from classmates.
You’ll then refine your project and prepare a final pitch for a panel of professionals. You’ll explain your ideas, present a branding style guide, and justify your decisions using a professional design rationale.
At the end of the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and leave with a portfolio you can use for school, university or internship applications.
Do you need experience before the course?
You don’t need any prior design experience to join the course. Tutors explain that “you’ll gain a broad understanding of graphic design concepts and return home with a portfolio of work that incorporates everything you’ve learnt”. That said, it will definitely help to have a special interest in this area, and probably a love for art and design.
If you’re already familiar with design, there are opportunities to go deeper or take on more ambitious tasks. Tutors are experienced in tailoring the content to suit your skill level and learning goals.
What you’ll gain from the experience
By the end of the two weeks, you’ll have built a foundation in key design principles, improved your English, and developed skills that are useful in any creative or academic setting.
You’ll also find out whether design is something you’d like to pursue further. Tutors say the experience gives you “a clearer understanding of the design industry and helps you feel ready to take the next step in your education or career”.
Life outside the classroom
When you’re not designing, you’ll be exploring London and making friends from all over the world. You’ll live with students who are also taking part in Young Professionals courses in subjects like Business, Performing Arts or Medicine.
Although you may spend class time with your design group, you’ll share accommodation, activities and excursions with the wider summer school community. That means you’ll quickly form friendships and enjoy a global, supportive atmosphere.
You’ll also go on cultural excursions to famous landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral, the British Museum and Buckingham Palace. In the evenings, you’ll join in with activities like bowling, film nights or sports – often chosen by students based on group interests.
Course details
Young Professionals – English and Graphic Design Summer Camp
- Ages 13 to 17
- Intermediate English
- Based at King’s College London
- Two-week courses starting 8 July and 22 July 2025
If you’re looking for a graphic design summer course in the UK that builds both your creative skills and your confidence in English, this is the perfect place to start. You’ll leave with work you can be proud of, new ideas for your future, and friends from around the world.
How does that sound to you? Please contact us if you have any questions about this or any other Bucksmore course. We’ll be happy to help you.
Please check out our Graphic Design TikTok too!